CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said his government would crack down on Colombian leftist rebels entering his country.

Chavez also said Venezuelan forces would thwart efforts by Colombian right-wing forces to enter the country along Venezuela's porous, jungle border with Colombia, El Universal reported Monday.

The left-wing Venezuelan leader -- during his weekly national address -- then called for Venezuela's militia pro-government groups to lay down their arms, a surprising announcement from the populist Chavez who in recent years has called for the militia to prepare for a possible U.S. invasion.